It hadn’t been easy getting this rank. She’d worked her ass off for it. And although some tried to accuse the Cadwaladrs of nepotism, giving their own an easy time of it, everyone eventually learned there was no free ride for any of them. In fact, Cadwaladrs were brutally hard on their own kin during training because they cared more if one of their own died in battle. They felt they’d failed to prepare them.

Which was why Ghleanna had always worried about her Branwen more than some of her other offspring. She’d been afraid the brutal training would change who she was. Would take away that spark that made Branwen Brannie.

But eventually Ghleanna had realized she had nothing to worry about.

Standing by a tree, she watched her daughter talking to her cousin-by-mating and best friend Izzy, telling some story about drunk Caswyn, Uther, and the Riders. And Branwen didn’t simply talk . . . she acted it all out as well.

“So, of course, I shoved him into the wall,” Brannie said, throwing out her arms to demonstrate the force she’d used. “I mean, why wouldn’t I? He ate Puddles.”

“Still can’t believe he did that.”

“I still can’t believe those two idiots told the Riders everything! Then we had Riders with us! Not that I minded. I mean, you can’t beat having Kachka at your side.”

“I know! She’s bloody amazing in a fight!”

“But, of course, Keita is complaining. Constantly! And I’m worried she’s going to poison everybody. Like no one’s safe!” she announced, her arms going wide.

Ghleanna laughed, as always entertained by her youngest daughter.

Brannie turned, saw her mother, and ran to her, throwing her arms around her and hugging her tight. None of that “we’re on a battlefield, we’re in charge, we must be stoic until in private” stuff for her Brannie. She showed love where and when she wanted and didn’t care who saw. Of course, the only one really bothered by that was Bercelak but Ghleanna also knew that Brannie was his favorite niece.

Ghleanna pushed her daughter back and took her hands in her own. “I want to tell you that you did an amazing job, Brannie. I know you didn’t want to do any of this, but I’m really glad you did.”

“I’m glad I did it, too. I think any of my sisters or cousins would have killed Keita right from the start.”

“Did you hear?” Izzy asked, slinging her arm over Bran’s shoulder.

“Shut up, Izzy,” Brannie warned, which made Ghleanna want to hear whatever was going on immediately.

“Our Branwen has a gentleman suitor.” Izzy frowned, looked off, and changed it to, “Gentle-dragon suitor.”

Brannie rolled her eyes but so did Ghleanna.

“That’s nothing new,” Ghleanna told her niece. “Everyone knows Aidan likes my Branwen. And he’s liked her for ages now.”